Comparing Frequency of TV and Internet Use among African-American Students and Their Effects on Material Values and Sociability

Journal Title: Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies - Year 2015, Vol 5, Issue 1

Abstract

This study compares sociability, material values and self-reported happiness among AfricanAmerican university Internet and television consumers.Reminiscent of Marshal McLuhan’s (1979) medium theory, our results highlight the role of technological change in affecting value structures and social behaviors. The results showed that heavy Internet users did not differ from light Internet users in their level of sociability, however, heavy Internet users avoided “large social gatherings.” For materialism and self-reported happiness, there were no differences between heavy and light Internet users. The results for television viewers differed from Internet users. While there were no differences between light and heavy viewers concerning sociability, heavy TV viewers scored higher than light viewers on materialism, and lower in happiness. Findings suggest that the effects of heavy television viewing do not necessarily translate to heavy Internet use.

Authors and Affiliations

David J. Park| Florida International University, USA, Maria Elena Villar| Florida International University, USA

Keywords

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  • EP ID EP10017
  • DOI -
  • Views 303
  • Downloads 15

How To Cite

David J. Park, Maria Elena Villar (2015). Comparing Frequency of TV and Internet Use among African-American Students and Their Effects on Material Values and Sociability. Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies, 5(1), 21-40. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-10017